Venice Amusement Park At 2212 Houston Ave.

sinister1 · January 25, 2014

But one thing strikes me, if Luna Park was once called "Colonial Park" then it would show up in the directories for that period wouldn't it? I recall it being also named Venice but not Colonial. So may questions.

Highrise Tower · December 3, 2022

Wikpedia has a good write-up about the Luna Park to Venice Park conversion:

The original owners sold the property to a local lawyer (Abe W. Wagner) who held a contest to choose a new name. The eventual winner was Venice Park. He also changed the address to 2212.

From the newspaper The Houston Post dated April 21, 1927:

What's In A Name?
$750.00 in Prizes.

Houston's Greater Amusement Park.

The name contest opens Thursday, April 21, and closes Saturday night, April 30. Names submitted must be on "Official Name Blank" and may be dropped on the contest boxes in the Park or mailed to Contest Editor, Houston Greater Amusement Park, Houston Avenue, Houston, Texas. Name suggestions by mail close Wednesday, April 27. Name suggestions deposited in the the contest box at the Park will be accepted any date during the contest up to the closing night, April 30th, inclusive. Names received by mail will not be considered if postmarked before April 21 or later than midnight, April the 27th.

From newspaper The Houston Post dated June 16, 1927:

Abe W. Wagner, Houston lawyer and amusement park director, and Miss Kathleen Chrisman, daughter of Mrs. W.T. Chrisman o Dallas, were married at Richmond on May 21, it was announced this week. Wagner, well known in legal circles, has devoted a major part of recent months to director of Venice Amusement Park. Mrs. Wagener, a vocalist and violinist of talent, is well known in Dallas social circles.